With the Cleveland Browns kicking off training camp in Berea, Ohio on July 27, it is time to take a look at some of the players, games, and storylines for the upcoming 2008 NFL season.
Last month, I examined 10 players on the Browns that have something to prove in 2008. Today, I look at 10 players who could contribute a little more than expected in the upcoming season. (Players listed in alphabetical order.)
DB, Gary Baxter
If Baxter makes it back, it would be a miracle after his failed attempt last year to return from two torn patella tendons. But if he does, it could provide the Browns with some much-needed depth in the secondary, even if only in specialty packages. If he just sets foot on the field again, it would be amazing.
LB, Beau Bell
Bell has gotten a lot of press because he was the Browns’ first draft pick this year. But he’s still a fourth rounder, and to ask him to contribute right away is a lot to ask of a second-day pick. He comes with a rep as a more-than-solid tackler, something the Browns’ linebacking corps sorely need.
CB, A. J. Davis
A second-day draft pick of the Detroit Lions last year, Davis spent 2007 on the Browns’ practice squad. The Browns caught lighting in a bottle with unsigned rookie Leigh Bodden in 2003 and hope to do the same with Davis. With Bodden now in Detroit, as part of the Shaun Rogers trade, it would be ironic if Davis could step up and help fill the void that is left.
OG, Rex Hadnot
Hadnot is already earning his keep, working with the first team at RG after Ryan Tucker’s hip surgery. Just like Tucker stepped in for an injured Seth McKinney in 2007, Hadnot has the opportunity to repeat the feat this year. He has started 16 games for three consecutive seasons. Cohesion is always key for offensive line play, and Hadnot might end up being a big part of it.
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RB, Jerome Harrison
Harrison is a preseason All Star, often shining against the oppositions’ B squads. He has shown flashes of brilliance on screens and draws when he has opportunities, but he did not dress at times in 2007. Is this the year that he could be a change-of-pace/specialty back to spell Jamal Lewis from time to time and add yet another wrinkle to the Browns’ offense?
DB, Mil’von James
The Cleveland Browns are quickly becoming the Midwestern Campus of UNLV. After drafting Eric Wright last year, and Beau Bell this year, James was signed as a rookie free agent after they discovered him while scouting Bell.
As mentioned with Baxter and Davis above, the Browns lack depth in the secondary, especially corner. And, as with Davis, they hope to find another free agent/waiver-wire steal.
LB, David McMillan
Another preseason stand out, McMillan’s opportunities in the regular season are few and far between. With Willie McGinest entering his final year before retirement, and Antwaan Peek yet to show he can stay healthy for 16 games, it would be nice to see McMillan be able to step up and do something when it matters.
Shawntee Orr and Kris Griffin being primarily special teamers, McMillan’s time to step up is now if he can.
QB, Brady Quinn
Was there anyway the "Golden Boy" wasn’t going to be on this list? Derek Anderson is going to be, and should be, the starting QB barring injury or a complete derailment. There is no debating that. But injuries to the QB are all too common in the NFL, and you never know what hand fate will deal you.
WR, Travis Wilson
Travis Wilson is by far my least favorite player on the Browns right now. Really far. We are talking in the genre of Kevin Johnson, Quincy Morgan, Andre Davis, and my nemesis, Dennis Northcutt.
Wilson declared himself the “best receiver of the 2006 draft” and proceeded to hold out and register a whopping two receptions for 32 yards. To top that, he was inactive for all 16 games in 2007. All 16 games.
He wasn’t injured, on the practice squad, or the third QB. He was just inactive for all 16 games. He couldn’t even beat out Tim Carter for the third WR spot and Carter caught eight passes...all year.
With Carter not retained, Josh Cribbs still focusing on special teams, and Joe Jurivicius’ future uncertain after a fourth knee surgery; Wilson once again has an opportunity to prove himself. Whether he can or not will determine his future with the Browns and, most likely, the NFL.
P, Dave Zastudil
A punter, you say? Yes. While with the Baltimore Ravens, Zastudil was one of the most consistent, reliable punters in the NFL. Back problems sabotaged his season in 2007, as he was plagued with shaky efforts now and again while Browns Fans were subjected to “The Paul Ernster Experience” and Scott Player’s single-bar facemask and porno ‘stache. We need not be privy to those things again.
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All Bleacher Report articles are also concurrently posted on my blog: A Clevelander in Exile.
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2 months ago
Good list but I think I would throw Leon Williams in there. He's shown improvement every year and I think this year may be a breakout year for him, especially with the rotation at LB we have.
2 months ago
I saw Bell play for UNLV and the guy can hit. If they can get him in the rotation he'll make some plays and surprise some folks.
Nice job and Go Browns!
2 months ago
I completely understand and agree with your list of least-favorite former Browns (listed in your comments about Travis Wilson, my own least-favorite current Brown). With one exception. I don't understand why Kevin Johnson is on the list.
The guy had terrific hands, often made difficult catches look easy, and for God's sake don't forget the New Orleans game in '99 when he won it for us on the Hail Mary at the end.
Why is Kevin on your list?
from 2 months ago
He slept with William Green's wife.
2 months ago
She was so nice, she turned around and stabbed her man in the back.
There's a joke in here somewhere...
from 2 months ago
Yeah, a sick one, lol.
KJ sometimes seemed more about KJ than the team at times, too. Always fell down after a pass, never went for the extra yard.
But to pull that on a teammates puts you on my bad side.
Thanks for reading.
2 months ago
Pretty good assessment of the 10 Browns with the most to prove and the 10 who could surprise. I think you left one fellow off both lists: Corey Williams. Here's a guy with a ton of upside who has as much to prove this year as Shaun Rogers. Two other players who have something to prove (as in make or break time) are Mel Purcel and Chase Pittman. Pittman's best shot would probably be to try to become Simon Frazer's replacement on STs. And there's another guy who just might surprise this year -- Ahtyba Rubin. Imagine if all four of these D linemen (Williams, Purcel, Pittman, and Rubin) were to get it together simultaneously and combine with Shaun Rogers, Shaun Smith and Robaire Smith!!!! Then Romeo would have a D line rotation which would provide fresh legs and tons of talent for an entire 60 minutes, rather than the 45 minutes we were getting from last year's unit. And, if that happens, forget Pittsburgh, Cincy and the Ratbirds. The Browns would indeed be a real threat to the Pats, Colts and Bolts. And, as one who was there and remembers "the day", let's not forget what won the Browns their last NFL title in '64. Jim Brown et al on the offense? Nope. It was a defense that refused to believe what the press wrote about them, stopping the mighty Johnny Unitas and the awesome Colt offense. This team has the best potential of any Browns team since then to do that to today's NFL "elite" teams. Remember: you heard it here first!!!!
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